My enemies became my companions

Chapter 730 This Plan Was Perfectly Found (Part 2)

Suddenly, a poem came to his ears. Qin Qingluo recited the first, second, and third couplets. Even if Chen Yi was stupid, he could immediately think of the last couplet that Yin Weiying had told him to remember when he left.

So it came out naturally.

The final couplet seemed to actually work, and Qin Qingluo seemed quite satisfied with it. The Queen loosened her grip on his chin slightly.

However, what surprised Chen Yi even more than finding Qin Qingluo was that this time, Da Yin didn't actually cause him any trouble.

He was already prepared to settle scores with Yin Weiying by brewing chrysanthemum tea after things calmed down; this time, he would definitely not let her off so easily.

But the result was unexpected.
Could it be that she changed her personality?

Chen Yi pondered for a moment, then shook his head inwardly.

This is likely another subtle hint, a far-reaching scheme.

If Da Yin has truly changed his nature, then I must still be in the world of ignorance. However, the Pure Saintess is long dead, so it cannot be the world of ignorance right now. No matter how badly one is bitten by a snake once, one can be apprehensive but not afraid of a rope for ten years. Besides, whether it is the world of ignorance or not, I will know once I find Miss Donggong.

There's no need to worry about that right now.

After the kiss, she looked down at him, the moonlight casting interplay of light and shadow on her sharply defined face, adding to her imposing and unpredictable aura.

"Do you know the meaning of this poem?" Her voice was low, with a hint of hoarseness, perhaps from the passionate kiss just now, or perhaps from the turmoil in her heart.

Chen Yi's mind raced. Yin Weiying had only told him to memorize the verses, but had never explained their deeper meaning.
But with the die already cast and no room for error, he could only bite the bullet and say, "I don't know."

She didn't say anything, but maintained her downward gaze, her eyes scanning his face.

Seeing that she showed no sign of anything amiss, Chen Yi suddenly realized something and, as if struck by a flash of inspiration, slowly said, "I only know... there are words I like inside."

Qin Qingluo continued to gaze intently, as if trying to see through his skin to discern the true nature of his heart. The night breeze swept through the corridor, stirring the intricate gold embroidery on her python robe, the shimmering light echoing the complex emotions flickering in her eyes.

If a person has even a basic understanding of literature, one can tell without further investigation that Chen Yi, despite his occasional air of elegance, is actually a boorish man who is all show and no substance.

Those letters were undoubtedly written by others; Qin Qingluo could tell without even asking.

After a long while, she suddenly chuckled softly. The laughter was no longer cold; instead, it carried a hint of languor.

“Chen Yi, Chen Yi,” she released her grip on his chin, her fingertips sliding over his slightly swollen lips, a tingling sensation spreading through them. “Your mouth, when it comes to being glib, isn’t too stupid.”

Chen Yi felt somewhat relieved, knowing that he had temporarily passed this hurdle.

He raised his hand and grasped her wrist, which had not yet completely withdrawn, and his fingertips could feel her pulse beating slightly faster.

"I don't know, I don't know what I did to please Your Highness, nor do I know... what I did to anger Your Highness." He looked at her, his tone becoming more serious, "Otherwise, why would Your Highness have stormed off on our wedding night?"

Qin Qingluo's eyes flickered slightly as he let him hold his hand. His tall figure leaned forward slightly, almost completely enveloping him in his shadow.

"What a convenient excuse for getting angry." She repeated, her snake-like eyes narrowing slightly. "And what about Min Ning? Where does she stand in your heart? What mountain is she? Or... just a passing lake, a reflection that's been forgotten?"

The question remained sharp, but the tone was no longer as hostile as before; it was more like a calculating inquiry.

Knowing that her inner conflict was not completely resolved, Chen Yi pondered for a moment and said slowly, "Yuechi is Yuechi, and you are you. No one can take your place here."

Qin Qingluo's expression shifted slightly. Although she knew that Chen Yi's words were never entirely credible and always had to be taken with a grain of salt, she was still moved. She looked down at him, scrutinizing him again and again.

“…Gao Wu”.

Qin Qinglu frowned, then said, "Don't call me by my courtesy name, it's too mushy."

Even so, her imposing aura gradually subsided, transforming into a deep silence. She grasped his hand in return, with a firm but not too strong grip.

"I will not call you 'Zunming' either; there's no need for us to be so mushy."

Chen Yi was unsure whether she found the way she addressed him by his courtesy name too intimate, or whether she simply didn't want to address him by his courtesy name like Min Ning did.

The Queen didn't think that much about it. She just thought that if she addressed her as "Your Highness" to her subordinate, it would be too affectionate, while if she addressed her as "Your Highness" to her consort, it would seem too mushy.

Chen Yi secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Those irreplaceable words just now naturally implied that Qin Qingluo could not replace Min Yuechi either.

Now that Qin Qingluo has been appeased, the two can finally consummate their marriage.

But Min Ning...

A slight dimming appeared in Chen Yi's eyes.

Her words still echoed in his ears: he had to betray one of the two of them, either her or Qin Qingluo. And she had already said it beforehand, so he was bound to betray her. When women are chivalrous, they are often incomprehensible. If he were in her shoes, he would probably kidnap her tonight and get what he wanted. That was Chen Yi. Yet, she yielded step by step and wronged herself for it. That was Min Ning.

If it were a weak and easily bullied woman, it would be fine. When the two Yin sisters were together, Chen Yi never felt troubled. But Min Ning and Qin Qingluo were both so strong-willed, so he couldn't take the initiative to enjoy the blessing of having two women.

Even though they are close friends, they would rather sacrifice one of them than bow down to each other.

Chen Yi couldn't help but sigh slightly, then felt that he was being too greedy. In fact, both women were already in love with him and had established relationships with him. There was no need to ask for that perfect scenario of marrying both women at the same time.

………………

“Not just perfect, I’m going to make him eleven perfect.”

Yin Weiying smiled slightly, her lips curving upwards. She walked around the screen and glanced at Lin Wanguan, whose expression showed a hint of hesitation.

Lin's young mistress raised her eyes and then suddenly lowered them again, her mind in turmoil.

Moonlight filtered through the thin veil, illuminating the young woman's face. Her thin, pale throat trembled slightly, as if she couldn't withstand the slightest pressure. Lin Wanquan bit her lip and said, "What were you thinking? How did you even think of me..."

Yin Weiying glanced back at her, his gaze meaningful, and slowly said:

"What else could I think of? You are the most suitable, so I thought of you. It's time to repay you, Sister Yin."

Lin Wanquan's eyes flickered, her resistance coming from the bottom of her heart. Yin Weiying had come here to ask her to do such an absurd thing. What woman in the world would agree to that?

She...she actually wanted her...

Go sleep with me under the same quilt, go be my roommate!

If Lin Wanguan hadn't been relatively well-educated and reasonable, and hadn't been aware of the female Taoist priest's temperament, she would never have tolerated such humiliation and would have threatened to kill herself.

"Lin Zhenlan, do you think I've gone too far?"

Yin Weiying's voice remained gentle, as if discussing today's tea and snacks, but her long, clear eyes held no warmth, only a chilling insight into people's hearts. Lin Wanguan's heart trembled at her voice, as if the name "Zhenlan" itself had become a mockery.

She clenched her sleeves tightly, her fingertips turning white from the force, her voice trembling slightly: "Isn't...isn't this going too far? Immortal Yin, I respect your noble birth and profound Taoist skills, but how could you...how could you propose such...such a shameless thing!"

"shameless?"

Yin Weiying tilted her head slightly, her smile deepening. She walked slowly closer, her white robes gleaming coolly in the moonlight.
"Don't you always complain that he doesn't care about you?"

Lin Wan-guan immediately retorted, "Where did I say that!"

After she finished speaking, her eyes flashed with shock and anger, then dimmed again, and she said, "I am a widow..."

"You're not even wearing mourning clothes, what are you doing deceiving yourself now?" Yin Weiying scoffed, but seeing the complex emotions shifting in Lin Wanguan's expression, he slowly said, "Sister Wanguan, tell me, what is shame? Is it adhering to those vague and ethereal rules of etiquette, watching helplessly as the person you care about drifts further and further away, ultimately losing everything and ending up a widow? Or... is it seizing every opportunity, even if the means are not honorable, to secure a place in his heart?"

She stopped in front of Lin Wanguan, looking down at her. Lin Wanguan had to tilt her head slightly to meet her gaze, a posture that made her feel extremely pressured.

Lin's young mistress was breathing rapidly.

Yin Weiying smiled faintly and coaxed, "Lin Wanguan, you have already given yourself to him, why not take it a step further? Can you bear to give up all your previous efforts?"

“I…I can’t do it…” Lin Wanquan shook her head, her eyes slightly red. “That was their wedding night! What am I? A widow who barged in without knowing anything? How am I supposed to face myself after this? How will others see me?”

"Others?" Yin Weiying chuckled, with a hint of disdain. "Wanguan, do you still care about what others think? When you came with me to Longhu Mountain, when you couldn't withstand the pressure and slept with him, you should have known that you were already his mistress."

Lin Wanguan felt a chill run down her spine from Yin Weiying's words. She wanted to retort, but found herself speechless. Yin Weiying's words were like a dull knife, slowly cutting away the reality she had always refused to face.

Yin Weiying leaned down, his breath almost brushing against Lin Wanguan's ear, his voice even lower.
"Why do you think Min Ning is so unforgettable to him? Is it merely because of their humble beginnings? No, it's because she's special enough that she makes him break the mold, special enough that she evokes both pity and awe in him. Why do you think Qin Qingluo was able to marry him? Is it simply because of her power? No, it's because she's strong enough that she forces him to take her seriously, strong enough that she can stand on equal footing with him."

Now, by sheer coincidence, two women he couldn't control had reached a point where they were practically at odds.

"...What does that have to do with me..."

"What does it have to do with me?" Yin Weiying smiled and then said, "Tonight is an opportunity. It's not for you to compete for favor or to flatter. If those two women meet again, they will inevitably become enemies. Chen Yi is in a difficult position in the middle, which is why we need you. With you as a concubine, we can go with the flow and take advantage of the situation."

They saw each other as either one or the other, and for a moment forgot Chen Yi's womanizing ways, insisting that he choose one: "If you go, he can have them both."

The more Lin Wan-guan listened, the more absurd it seemed. She clenched her teeth even tighter, but couldn't utter a single "no."

Seeing the intense struggle in Lin Wan's eyes, Yin Weiying knew the time was right. His tone softened slightly, carrying a sigh that was almost pity:
“Sister Wanguan, I know this is difficult. But think it through. Do you want to cling to this useless pride and watch him replace the old with the new, while you can’t even leave a trace? Or… take a gamble and make him inevitably think of you whenever he thinks of tonight, of Qin Qingluo, or even of Min Ning?”
Believe me, he's always been easily swayed by women and doesn't care much about propriety. Who knows, one day he might just find an opportunity to marry you properly.

Lin Wanquan's breathing quickened; every word Yin Weiying uttered felt like a heavy hammer, striking her already crumbling defenses.

She recalled Chen Yi's occasional glances, seemingly both concerned and indifferent; she remembered her own confusion and helplessness over the past few days; she recalled her fear of the future and a sliver of reluctant anticipation, as if she had always been dispensable to him...

Tears finally streamed down her face, large drops falling onto her clothes and leaving dark stains. She didn't cry out loud, but wept silently, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Yin Weiying watched her quietly, without urging or comforting her. She knew that this Lin family young lady, who was always clueless, couldn't refuse no matter what.

After a long silence, Lin Wanquan raised her tear-filled eyes and said in a hoarse voice, "It was...it was you who forced me to do it..."

Finally, a truly satisfied smile appeared on Yin Weiying's lips.

“It’s very simple,” she whispered, like a devil’s murmur, “Just follow me and do as I say. After tonight, in Chen Yi’s heart, there will always be a unique place for you, Lin Wanguan.”

………………

How could a mere young lady from the Lin family withstand the words of the immortals?

Lin Wan-guan eventually passed away.

Her frail figure staggered and disappeared into the deeper shadows of the corridor, like a wisp of ghost swallowed by the night.

Yin Weiying remained standing, not leaving immediately. She turned slightly to the side, leaning against the railing, her gaze following the disappearing figure until she could no longer catch any trace of it.

The night wind seemed to pick up a bit more, making her wide sleeves flutter as if she were a fairy about to ride the wind and return home.

In the distance, the lights under the porch of the bridal chamber still shone warmly, and further away, the undulating sea of ​​trees seemed to groan in the wind.

The moonlight, like mercury spilling onto the ground, enveloped her in a layer of clear radiance, making her appear even more pristine in her white robes, untouched by the world.

She slowly raised her hand, her fingertips seemingly unconsciously brushing against the exquisite patterns carved on the railing. The cool touch calmed her mind slightly.

perfect.

She silently uttered those two words in her heart.

Lin Wanquan's move, though seemingly absurd, was actually the most crucial step she took after much deliberation, one that could significantly alter the entire situation.

Min Ning and Qin Qingluo, one chivalrous and fierce, the other domineering and forceful, are both unyielding. Forcing them together would only lead to mutual destruction. Chen Yi, seemingly greedy, is actually indecisive and hesitant when faced with such a real choice.

What he lacks is a variable that can break the deadlock, a buffer that prevents the taut string from snapping.

In the past, Yin Weiying had long noticed that whenever she encountered such a predicament, it was Yin Tingxue who would help mediate.

It's a pity Tingxue isn't here...

Thinking of this, Yin Weiying frowned.
What's there to regret?
The reason Yin Tingxue was able to maintain harmony on ordinary days was because, in the absence of a tiger, the fox reigned supreme.

Now that I'm here, can't I handle this well?
Right now, Lin Wan-guan is that variable, that buffer.

Min Ning, always prioritizing chivalry, would not overlook this young lady from the Lin family. Min Yuechi was even willing to stand up for herself, let alone this young lady. Qin Qingluo had no expectations of Chen Yi; she simply did not want to clash with Min Ning.

Finally, Chen Yi could also use this opportunity to escape the crisis. He would feel sorry for Lin Wanguan, and thus... he would become even more dependent on the instigator who turned the crisis into a blessing for both of them.

It is I, Yin Luanhuang.

Unable to suppress the smile any longer, Yin Weiying clapped his hands and laughed.

"This plan is a masterpiece."

The wind lifted a few strands of her loosely tied black hair, brushing against her smooth forehead and slightly upturned lips.

She glanced one last time in the direction of the bridal chamber.

The night grew deeper, and the sound of the sea of ​​trees seemed to subside, as if even heaven and earth had chosen to remain silent before this strategist.

(End of this chapter)